MAJOR STAR
Koepka shines, ties record for lowest score
TOWN OF ERIN - One by one, golf’s young stars gave in to the wind and the relentless pressure of a championship chase Sunday until Brooks Koepka was the last man standing at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
Wisconsin’s first U.S. Open ended as Koepka tamed a rolling course with controlled power off the tees and exquisite touch on undulating greens. The 27-year-old native Floridian used three straight birdies on the back nine to shoot a final-round 5 under par and finish at 16 under for the tournament.
Koepka tied the record for lowest 72-hole score in the U.S. Open, matching Rory McIlroy’s mark established in 2011 at Congressional Country Club. He also became the seventh consecutive first-time major championship winner.
“That’s probably the most emotion I’ve ever showed coming down the stretch,” he said.
Koepka said he got a phone call from 2016 champion Dustin Johnson the night before the final round and took to heart the advice to remain patient.
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan closed with a blistering 6 under to finish in a second-place tie with Brian Harman at 12 under par. Harman, who led after three rounds, shot even par in the final round.